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Pundits Say It’s Embarrassing to Hold XRP in 2025

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Crypto commentators are again mocking XRP holders as Western Union moves to deploy blockchain solutions on Solana instead of the XRP Ledger.

On Tuesday, the world’s largest money transfer company, Western Union, announced it will launch its U.S. Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) and Digital Asset Network on the Solana blockchain.

This marks a major shift in global finance, as Western Union bets on Solana’s fast blockchain for its stablecoin system. However, the news has stirred strong reactions in the XRP community.

Western Union’s Big Bet on Solana

In an official press release, Western Union revealed that Anchorage Digital Bank will issue the USDPT stablecoin and will go live in the first half of 2026.

The company stated that USDPT will help bridge the digital and fiat worlds. Specifically, it will allow customers and partners to send, receive, spend, and hold stablecoins in a regulated, seamless manner.

Western Union’s Digital Asset Network will also provide “cash off-ramps,” enabling crypto users to convert digital assets into real-world cash through its global network of agents and partners.

Furthermore, CEO Devin McGranahan highlighted that as Western Union moves into the digital assets space, Solana’s infrastructure provides the right balance of speed, reliability, and compliance to achieve their vision.

Why Not XRP?

The decision is particularly notable because Western Union had tested XRP technology for nearly a decade. As early as 2018, Fortune magazine reported that Western Union was experimenting with Ripple’s blockchain technology for transaction settlement and capital optimization. 

Former CEO Hikmet Ersek confirmed this on the company’s earnings call, and a spokesperson also confirmed the XRP tests.

The company ran multiple pilots using XRP for cross-border settlements but never fully integrated it into its operations.

According to CEO McGranahan, Western Union’s decision came after evaluating various blockchains based on speed, cost, reliability, and scalability. And ultimately, Solana emerged as the clear winner.

Crypto commentator CryptosRus summarized the sentiment, saying:

“Western Union tested XRP for a decade but picked Solana. After a decade of experimenting, they finally found what fits.”

Now, the payments giant plans to process over $100 billion per year on the Solana network, positioning SOL as a dominant player in real-world blockchain adoption.

“It’s Embarrassing to Hold XRP in 2025”

The news didn’t sit well with XRP supporters. Some influencers called the moment a major blow to Ripple’s long-standing ambition to dominate cross-border payments.

Crypto influencer Lucas Dimos tweeted: “It’s embarrassing to hold XRP in 2025.”

Another X user, Abraham Linkoln, wrote: “XRP investors in absolute shambles.”

While XRP remains a cornerstone of Ripple’s payment ecosystem, the growing number of major institutions opting for alternative chains like Solana and Chainlink has led many to question whether XRP’s early advantage in financial integration is fading.

Still, XRP is securing major partnerships with prominent payment processors, including SBI and Santander, even though it has experienced failed alliances with highly coveted names like SWIFT and Western Union.

XRP Outperformed Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana Combined in Market Cap in Q3: Mesarri Report

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A recent report expanding on the performance of XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in the third quarter of the year shows an obvious ecosystem growth.

The “State of the XRP Ledger Q3” report from prominent analytical firm Messari shows the XRP ecosystem made reasonable progress in key metrics and other areas, such as stablecoins and RWAs.

Key Metrics and Financial Analysis

One of the standout areas was XRP’s price and market cap growth. For perspective, XRP ended Q3 at $2.85, its highest ever quarterly closing price. The growth marked a 27% upsurge quarter over quarter (QoQ).

The cryptocurrency’s market cap also grew 29% QoQ to close at $170.3 billion. With the upside, XRP outperformed the combined market cap growth of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, which stood at 13.3% from the previous quarter.

XRP Market Cap Growth
XRP Market Cap Growth

Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger recorded a 9% increase in average daily transactions QoQ, rising from 1.6 million to 1.8 million. A similar increase was seen in total new addresses, which rose 46% to 447,200.

However, average daily active addresses dropped 29% from the previous quarter to 53,300, and transaction fees decreased 25% from $680,900 to $513,900.

DAT Buzz and Burn Data

In addition, Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) firms are on the rise, and XRP is at the center of this corporate craze for cryptocurrencies. Several publicly traded firms announced adopting XRP as a primary asset in their corporate treasury strategies, including Trident Digital, Webus, and Wellgistics.

The list has continued to increase with VivoPower committing $100 million to buying XRP. Most recently, Ripple-backed Evernorth acquired 388 million XRP, valued at over $1 billion, becoming the largest corporate holder of the asset.

Furthermore, the report shows that by the end of Q3, 2025, about 14.2 million XRP, worth $40.5 million, had been burned. The low burn rate is due to the low transaction fees required to transact on the XRP Ledger.

RLUSD and RWA Continue Growth on XRP Ledger

Meanwhile, Ripple’s RLUSD has continued its growth from the second quarter of 2025, reinforcing its place as the largest fiat-pegged currency on the Ledger. The stablecoin’s market cap on XRP Ledger closed at $88.8 million in Q3, up 34.7% QoQ.

The increase brought the combined market to $789.3 million on Ethereum and XRP for the quarter. This figure has sustained an uptick, currently at $903 million, with $116.9 million on XRP Ledger and $786 million on Ethereum as of October 27.

RLUSD Supply on XRPL and Ethereum
RLUSD Supply on XRPL and Ethereum

Moreover, the RWA market cap on the Ledger increased 215% from $115.5 million in the previous quarter to $364.2 million. Some of the major RWAs by market cap on the XRP Ledger include OpenEden US Treasury Bill Vault (TBILL), Montis Group Limited (MGL), and Ondo Short-Term US Government Bond Fund (OUSG).

RWA on XRPL
RWA on XRPL

In other notable developments in Q3 2025, Gemini launched its XRP Gemini Credit Card, offering users up to 4% XRP cashback. Additionally, Flare unveiled FXRP to allow XRP enthusiasts access to DeFi functionalities on its platform.

Expert Predicts Spot XRP ETFs Could Match or Surpass Bitwise Solana ETF’s Record Debut

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Nate Geraci, a popular ETF expert and president of NovaDius Wealth Management, expresses confidence that upcoming XRP ETFs will match or exceed Bitwise’s Solana ETF’s record debut. 

Geraci made the bold prediction after Bitwise’s Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) posted the highest first-day trading volume of any ETF launch this year.

For context, Eric Balchunas, Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst, highlighted BSOL’s remarkable performance in a tweet, capturing the first-day trading results for three newly launched spot ETFs tied to cryptocurrencies such as Hedera, Litecoin, and Solana.

Among the three newly launched crypto ETFs, the Bitwise Solana ETF (BSOL) stood out with a strong first-day trading volume of $56 million. BSOL’s performance far exceeded that of Canary Capital’s Hedera ETF (HBR) and Litecoin ETF (LTCC), which recorded $8 million and $1 million in trading volume, respectively.

Notably, Balchunas expressed surprise at how accurately his earlier predictions aligned with the result. For context, the Bloomberg expert had forecasted that the BSOL, HBR, and LTCC would reach first-day trading volumes of $52 million, $8 million, and $7 million, respectively. 

Largest US ETF Debut in 2025 

According to Balchunas, BSOL’s $56 million trading volume represents the largest ETF debut of the year, surpassing other notable crypto ETP launches such as the REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR) and the firm’s own Solana ETF (SSK). 

The REX-Osprey XRP ETF previously held the record with a first-day trading volume of $37.75 million in September, while SSK, which launched in June, recorded $12 million on its debut. 

BSOL has now taken the lead, setting a new benchmark as the U.S. ETF with the largest first-day trading volume in 2025, reaching an impressive $56 million. 

Meanwhile, Balchunas noted that BSOL was seeded with $220 million in capital, implying that if the entire amount had been invested on the first day, its trading volume could have reached roughly $280 million. 

He added that such a figure would have allowed BSOL to surpass the debut performance of BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF (ETHA), which launched in 2024 with an estimated $266 million in first-day trading volume. 

XRP ETFs to Match or Surpass BSOL First-Day Volume 

Other prominent ETF experts, including Nate Geraci of NovaDius Wealth Management, also celebrated BSOL’s incredible debut. Geraci noted that out of the 850 ETF launches this year, BSOL recorded the largest first-day trading volume, indicating strong investor demand for the product. 

He noted that this milestone aligns with his earlier prediction that Solana and XRP ETFs would experience strong demand, similar to that of Bitcoin and Ethereum products. 

In his latest comments, Geraci projected that the upcoming XRP ETFs could draw trading volumes that match or exceed BSOL’s debut. This suggests that he expects at least one of the seven pending spot XRP ETFs to reach or surpass the $56 million first-day trading volume recorded by BSOL. 

Will XRP ETFs Become Effective Without SEC Approval? 

At present, there is no confirmed launch date for the potential XRP ETFs, largely due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. According to Crypto in America journalist Eleanor Terrett, the recent launches of the Litecoin, Solana, and Hedera ETFs were made possible because the issuers included a provision in their amended S-1 filings allowing the products to automatically become effective 20 days after filing, without requiring SEC approval.

In addition, the NYSE certified the 8-A filings, which register ETF shares for exchange trading, enabling these crypto ETFs to begin trading despite the shutdown. 

This suggests that if the amended XRP ETF applications contain similar language, they could also go live under the same conditions as the Litecoin and Solana ETFs. 

Ripple CTO Reveals Why He May Not Ask His Younger Self to Buy XRP

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The Ripple CTO, David Schwartz, recently humorously suggested that he may not ask his younger self to buy XRP, as it could “trigger a paradox.”

Schwartz mentioned this during a light-hearted conversation in the crypto community. Notably, media outlet CoinDesk triggered this conversation with an age-old question surrounding early crypto investments. 

Ripple CTO Confirms He Would Ask His Younger Self to Buy Bitcoin

Specifically, CoinDesk shared a graphic asking its audience what they would say to their 18-year-old selves if they had the opportunity to go back in time and express just three words. The CoinDesk intern noted that he would ask his younger self to “buy more crypto.”

Responding to this query, the Ripple CTO revealed that he would specifically express the words “2010 Bitcoin 100,000.” Notably, at 18 years old, Schwartz would still not have witnessed the emergence of Bitcoin. As a result, he could have had the chance to tell his younger self about the crypto asset long before its debut in 2009.

Market data confirms that in 2010, Bitcoin’s price topped at $0.39, presenting the perfect opportunity for massive accumulation. If Schwartz’s younger self got his message and amassed 100,000 BTC in 2010, he would have spent $39,000 or less. Today, these tokens are worth $11.5 billion.

Why Bitcoin Instead of XRP

However, XRP also presents similar accumulation opportunities. Notably, if Schwartz’s younger self spent the $39,000 on XRP at its low of $0.0028 in July 2014, he would have scooped up 13.93 million XRP tokens. Today, those tokens are worth $36 million, way lower than Bitcoin’s returns.

Despite this, Schwartz’s decision to pick Bitcoin over XRP raised questions among community members, especially considering his involvement with the XRP project. Specifically, one commenter asked, “What about XRP?”

For context, the Ripple CTO did make a decision regarding XRP investments that he may regret now. According to a disclosure last January, Schwartz confirmed that he went for Ripple shares instead of XRP tokens. Today, he still wonders if that was a good decision, as he noted that the XRP would have been more liquid.

Naturally, one would expect that he would seize any opportunity to right that decision if he felt it was the wrong one. Responding to questions surrounding the decision not to tell his younger self about XRP, he humorously noted that XRP is too closely tied to his own work, and telling himself about it could create a paradox.

Evernorth Accumulates 388.7M XRP Worth $1B+, On-Chain Data Confirms

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Ripple-supported startup Evernorth Holdings has accumulated over $1 billion worth of XRP.

This significant investment makes it one of the largest institutional holders of the cryptocurrency to date.

The newly formed digital asset firm aims to position itself as a bridge between institutional investors and the XRP ecosystem. It also plans to debut a publicly listed XRP treasury vehicle on the Nasdaq, trading under the ticker XRPN.

Evernorth Crosses $1 Billion in XRP Holdings

According to data from CryptoQuant, Evernorth’s treasury holds 388.7 million XRP tokens. Each of these tokens is worth more than $2.60 at the time of reporting.

The accumulation comes shortly after the company’s official debut on October 20, with the intent to promote institutional adoption of XRP.

Asheesh Birla, a longtime Ripple executive, now leads Evernorth. He resigned from Ripple’s board earlier this month to assume the roles of CEO and chairman.

Birla said Evernorth aims to serve as a transparent, regulated link between XRP and public market investors, emphasizing that the U.S. now offers clearer regulatory conditions for XRP.

Investor Support and Funding Structure

The company’s financial base is being strengthened through a planned merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II, expected to raise at least $1 billion in funding. 

Its investor roster includes Ripple, Arrington Capital, Rippleworks, Kraken, Japan’s SBI Group, and Pantera Capital, all of whom have expressed long-term confidence in XRP’s future.

Following Evernorth’s launch announcement, XRP’s value climbed 8.6%, adding roughly $13 billion to its market capitalization. The rally reflected growing optimism about renewed institutional engagement with the digital asset.

ETF Outlook and Market Context

Evernorth’s debut comes as the crypto community anticipates the arrival of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S.

However, despite HBAR and Litecoin ETFs recently going live on Nasdaq, analysts suggest that XRP ETFs may face additional delays due to ongoing SEC decision backlogs resulting from the U.S. government shutdown.

Here’s How High XRP Could Reach if Treasury Companies Amass 15% of XRP’s Supply

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Amid the emergence of XRP treasury companies, the XRP price could react favorably if these firms scale up to amass up to 15% of the total XRP supply. 

Notably, a growing number of companies have started building XRP treasuries this year as regulatory clarity improves in the United States. The latest is Evernorth, a Ripple-backed firm that announced plans to buy $1 billion worth of XRP.

Emergence of XRP Treasury Firms

Before Evernorth, several other firms had made similar moves. Specifically, Singapore-based Trident Digital Tech Holdings, listed on NASDAQ, announced its XRP treasury plan in June 2025. The firm aims to raise as much as $500 million to build a large-scale XRP reserve. 

In China, Nasdaq-listed Webus International revealed plans in June 2025 to build a $300 million XRP treasury through loans and credit lines. 

Meanwhile, U.S.-based VivoPower International launched a $121 million private funding round on May 29, led by Saudi Prince Abdulaziz. The company allocated $100 million to its XRP treasury for yield and staking initiatives and raised another $19 million in October to expand it. 

Further, Wellgistics Health secured a $50 million equity line from LDA Capital in May 2025 to create an XRP treasury and build payment infrastructure using the XRPL for low-cost B2B settlements. In Japan, Gumi Inc. introduced a ¥2.5 billion ($17 million) treasury program involving XRP and Bitcoin.

Notably, Nature’s Miracle Holding became the first non-financial public company in the U.S. to announce an XRP treasury. It launched a $20 million program on July 24, 2025. Around the same time, Ault Capital Group, a subsidiary of Hyperscale Data, committed $10 million to XRP to power its DeFi lending platform backed by CME futures. 

XRP Price if These Firms Amass 15% of the XRP Supply

However, amid these multiple treasuries, Evernorth’s $1 billion goal remains the single largest. Nonetheless, at today’s price of $2.60, the $1 billion acquisition only equals about 383 million XRP tokens. This is just 0.38% of the total 99 billion supply. 

Notably, if more firms expand their XRP holdings or new ones join in, the price could rise sharply. However, the extent of such impact remains unclear. To explore this, we asked Google Gemini what could happen if these treasury firms together bought 15% of the total supply of 99 billion XRP. This amounts to 14.85 billion tokens, worth about $38.6 billion.

According to Gemini, this level of accumulation could cause a massive supply shock strong enough to push XRP’s price between $10 and $15. This would represent a 4x to 6x increase from its current value. 

XRP Price Prediction Google Gemini
XRP Price Prediction | Google Gemini

Gemini explained that removing 15% of the liquid supply would create intense buying pressure. In this case, XRP’s market cap could jump from about $155 billion to between $451 billion and $677 billion.

The AI chatbot said this type of supply squeeze often drives prices higher, especially when long-term holders take coins out of circulation. The growing involvement of corporate treasuries would also validate XRP’s utility and trigger institutional and retail FOMO. 

Rationale Behind the Projection
Rationale Behind the Projection

Gemini added that the setup looks much stronger than the conditions that pushed XRP to its previous all-time high of over $3 in 2018, which came mainly from retail speculation. According to the chatbot, this justifies the $10 to $15 expectation.

Analyst Says Something Big Is Going On: “We Will See a $100 XRP Way Before 2030”

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XRP technical analyst 24hrscrypto1 has reignited optimism across the XRP community by declaring that “something big is going on.” 

He went on to add that the price of XRP will reach $100 way before 2030. The statement comes just days after he reaffirmed his firm belief that XRP will hit $100 by 2030. But this time, the analyst hints that the timeline could be far shorter.

Currently, XRP trades around $2.60, and reaching $100 would mean a 4,100% surge in value. Though ambitious, the analyst’s outlook echoes market sentiment that accelerating institutional interest and real-world adoption could spark XRP’s next major breakout soon.

$100 Target Gains Support Among Analysts

Earlier this year, CryptoCharged COO Matthew Brienen described a $100–$1,000 XRP range as “highly possible” within five to ten years. He emphasized XRP’s growing dominance in cross-border payments and remittance corridors as a supporting actor for the price outlook.

Similarly, crypto wealth mentor Linda Jones projected that XRP could eventually trade above $100, noting that her early $100 investment once bought 400 XRP at $0.25 each, compared to fewer than 35 XRP today. 

Her view reflects XRP’s history of growing scarcity, a point shared by many who believe institutions are steadily reducing the available supply.

XRP $100 and Supply Shock

According to Versan Aljarrah, founder of Black Swan Capitalist, XRP’s path to $100 begins with institutional accumulation. He believes a process he believes has already been quietly unfolding. 

Banks and financial institutions, he said, have been building XRP positions for years during volatile periods when retail investors were shaken out.

This steady acquisition, combined with utility in Ripple’s cross-border payment network, could create the conditions for a supply shock, where demand for XRP dramatically exceeds available liquidity. 

Aljarrah emphasized that once this imbalance sets in, XRP’s price trajectory could accelerate sharply to bring the $100 target closer than most expect.

Ripple’s $1B GTreasury Deal Expands XRP’s Utility

Adding to the bullish narrative, Ripple recently made a landmark $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury. The move positions Ripple within the $120 trillion corporate treasury market. 

By linking Ripple’s blockchain with GTreasury’s systems, companies can manage cash and crypto together in real time. Analysts believe Ripple’s recent buys show its goal of making XRP a core part of global financial infrastructure.

XRP ETFs Build Institutional Momentum

Momentum toward XRP adoption also extends to Wall Street. Firms like Grayscale, Bitwise, and Franklin Templeton have updated their spot XRP ETF filings. 

With ticker symbols such as GXRP and XRPZ already registered, approval appears imminent once the U.S. government shutdown ends and SEC operations resume.

Attorney John Deaton called XRP “a bit cheaper today,” suggesting now may be a good buying opportunity before ETF-driven demand increases. Other commentators say these ETFs could bring major institutional inflows and drive prices higher.

With Ripple’s business integrations, ETF progress, and institutional interest, analysts like 24hrscrypto1 believe XRP’s next growth phase could arrive soon, potentially pushing it toward $100 before 2030.

Japan’s Largest Credit Card Processor Launches Stablecoin and Token Platform on Avalanche

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Japan’s financial infrastructure is entering a new era as TIS Inc., the nation’s largest payments processor, officially launches its Multi-Token Platform on Avalanche. 

For decades, TIS has powered the core of Japan’s financial operations. It handled nearly half of all domestic credit card processing and supported more than 80% of branded debit accounts nationwide.

Moreover, eleven of Japan’s leading 25 credit card issuers rely on TIS systems, serving nearly 200 million customers.

From Traditional Payments to Blockchain

Using its PAYCIERGE platform, TIS brought Japan’s fragmented payments system together, making credit, debit, and prepaid transactions work smoothly across institutions.

Today, PAYCIERGE handles over ¥300 trillion in annual B2C payments. That number could top ¥1,000 trillion as Japan digitizes more B2B and payroll transactions.

Now, TIS is expanding this trusted platform into digital assets, using Avalanche’s AvaCloud blockchain service to create infrastructure for stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and digital securities.

Avalanche’s Role in Japan’s Financial Transformation

By using AvaCloud, TIS can launch secure, scalable blockchains without managing its own infrastructure. Notably, the platform offers automated scaling, real-time governance, and the high reliability needed to meet Japan’s strict financial standards.

Avalanche’s fast finality and interoperability will enable TIS to provide real-time, programmable settlement for institutions.

Together, TIS and Avalanche are building a bridge between Japan’s traditional finance and emerging blockchain technology.

The Multi-Token Platform

The Multi-Token Platform aims to power the next generation of programmable finance. Specifically, it enables stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and securities to operate seamlessly across secure, interoperable networks.

With production now officially underway, the Multi-Token Platform marks the beginning of large-scale, institutional-grade blockchain adoption in Japan. 

Broader Move Toward Blockchain-Based Finance

This development comes amid a broader push within Japan toward blockchain-integrated finance. Just yesterday, JPYC launched the world’s first fully redeemable yen-backed stablecoin, supported by domestic deposits and Japanese government bonds (JGBs).

Unlike regional pilots in Korea and Taiwan, JPYC’s token can circulate globally, benefiting from the yen’s full convertibility and Japan’s deep bond market. JPYC charges no transaction fees, instead generating revenue from JGB interest.

As TIS brings its financial expertise on-chain, Japan’s path toward a digitized, tokenized economy has entered a new phase where traditional finance merges with programmable trust.

Here Is XRP Price If Corporate Treasuries Use It for FX Hedging

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XRP could become a potential go-to tool for FX hedging amid the growing need to hedge against FX fluctuations among corporate treasuries.

For context, foreign exchange (FX) hedging is a practice that helps companies and investors manage the risks that come from currency fluctuations. It protects profits and stabilizes costs when exchange rates move unexpectedly. The main goal is to reduce exposure to volatile exchange rates that could disrupt international operations.

The Growing Trend of FX Hedging

Notably, companies use several tools to hedge against FX risk. One such tool is forward contract, which lets two parties lock in a future exchange rate. For instance, a U.S. company expecting €1 million in six months can secure today’s USD/EUR rate to avoid losses if the euro weakens. 

Firms could also use options and futures contracts for this practice. Ultimately, FX hedging helps companies stabilize cash flow and plan more accurately for international operations. However, it also involves costs, such as option premiums and contract fees, and can lead to missed profits when currency movements turn favorable.

Recent data shows that FX hedging is growing worldwide. Remarkably, in Europe, corporate FX hedging jumped from 67% in 2023 to 86% in 2024, driven by higher currency volatility, according to MillTechFX’s Key Global Trends in Corporate FX Hedging for 2025 report. In the U.S., companies hedged 48% of their currency exposure in the second quarter of 2024, up from 46% in the first.

Moreover, MillTechFX’s Corporate Hedging Monitor also revealed that more than 75% of firms in the U.K. and U.S. suffered FX losses in 2024 from unhedged exposure, leading to over half of them rethinking their strategies.

How Could XRP Work as an FX Hedging Tool?

Interestingly, some crypto industry leaders have now begun highlighting crypto assets like XRP as potential tools for FX hedging. Practically, XRP could act as a hedge against FX fluctuations by being a bridge for instant settlements between currencies. 

If a company converts U.S. dollars into XRP, transfers them within three to five seconds via the XRP Ledger (XRPL), and then converts them into euros, it can avoid multi-day exposure to fluctuating exchange rates. 

In addition, companies can also hedge XRP’s own volatility using CME XRP futures and options. Meanwhile, XRP-based liquidity pools on the XRPL also allow direct FX conversions such as XRP-EUR, helping reduce slippage and hedge multi-currency exposure. 

XRP Price if Corporate Treasuries Use it for FX Hedging

However, XRP’s high volatility, between 50% and 100% annually, still requires active risk management through derivatives. If corporate treasuries do adopt XRP for FX hedging, the impact on price could be tremendous.

At the moment, XRP trades at $2.63 with a market capitalization of $158.45 billion. To explore how corporate adoption for FX hedging might affect its price, we asked Google Gemini for a hypothetical projection. 

According to Gemini, the BIS estimated total outstanding FX derivatives at around $130 trillion by mid-2024. For its model, the chatbot used a rounded figure of $100 trillion and an estimated circulating supply of 60 billion XRP.

Gemini built a bullish model where XRP captures 15% of the global corporate FX derivatives market. Notably, this would mean XRP supports $15 trillion worth of notional value. 

XRP Price Prediction Google Gemini
XRP Price Prediction | Google Gemini

It then assumed a 1:1 ratio between market cap and the notional value it backs, which meant that XRP’s market cap would also need to reach $15 trillion. With 60 billion XRP in circulation, this would translate to a price of about $250 per token.

BlackRock CEO Taps “Assets of Fear” Bitcoin and Crypto as Hedge Against Fiat Debasement

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BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has continued to recommend exposure to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, calling them assets of fear.

Fink appeared at the 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia and preached the virtues of Bitcoin ownership to one of the world’s biggest investors. He told these financial titans to own cryptocurrencies, insisting they are a proper hedge against economic decadence.

Bitcoin and Crypto as Financial Safe Haven

The BlackRock CEO posed Bitcoin and crypto as “assets of fear.” He emphasized that they are a go-to asset class for those who are frightened by the government’s economic policies. 

He explicitly called them a hedge against fiat currency debasement and the global rise of insecurity. Furthermore, he suggested that they are a safe haven for investors unsure of their financial security due to bad policies.

Fink asked to buy Bitcoin if “you are frightened of the debasement of your assets” or “worried about your financial security,” calling the asset a hedge against “optimism.”

Meanwhile, Fink’s statement further strengthens the growing sentiment that Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are maturing into a strong option for averting inflation. It further emphasizes his shift from skepticism against the sector to total embrace.

Recall that he once called Bitcoin an “index of money laundering” and noted that Bitcoin’s volatility suggests a lack of intrinsic value. However, he has recently turned bullish on Bitcoin, stating in his 2025 letter to shareholders that it could replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Moreover, his firm’s Bitcoin product, iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), has amassed over $65 billion in inflows and $100 billion in AUM as investors grow increasingly interested in the crypto leader.

Bitcoin Continues to Enter the Gold Conversation

Remarkably, many analysts believe Bitcoin is the “digital gold.” Notably, the comparison with gold has continued to gain momentum even in the global financial scene.

For context, Fink placed Bitcoin alongside gold as assets that could help curb the impact of inflation on one’s finances. Other prominent financial experts, like Robert Kiyosaki, have also consistently placed BTC and gold side by side, insisting that it is better to own them than fiat. Deutsche Bank also projected in September that Bitcoin would coexist with gold in the balance sheet of central banks by 2030.

This growing optimism about Bitcoin has sparked speculation that it will one day match gold’s valuation. Some suggest it would reach at least half of the precious metal’s valuation; others insist it would match the leading asset toe-to-toe, while bulls like Michael Saylor see Bitcoin outgrowing gold by up to 10x.

Nonetheless, a recent report from Bitwise shows that Bitcoin would rally to $242,000 in a moderate 5% reallocation from gold.